20 Aug Corticosteroid Injections – What You Need to Know.
Corticosteroid (often called “cortisone”) injections are commonly used to reduce pain and swelling in joints, muscles, and tendons. At Sun Chiropractic, our Chiropractors and Physiotherapists often see patients who are considering an injection or have already had one.
These injections can be helpful, but they are not a cure, and they work best when combined with the right care.
What does a Corticosteroid injection do?
A corticosteroid injection is an anti-inflammatory medication placed into or around a painful area, such as a joint or tendon, to help reduce inflammation and pain.
It helps to:
– Reduce swelling.
– Calm irritation.
– Decrease pain.
– Make movement easier
It may help some people in the short term; however, they are not a cure and is usually best as a part of a broader management plan rather than a standalone fix (American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, 2023)
When might it be helpful?
An injection may be useful when:
– Pain and swelling is severe.
– Movement is very limited.
– Other treatments haven’t helped.
– Pain is making it hard to start or progress rehabilitation
What are the potential benefits?
Cortisone injections may:
– Reduce pain.
– Improve movement.
– Make sleep better and daily activities easier.
– Temporary pain relief that can make it easier to begin/progress exercise-based rehabilitation and return to normal activity (NICE, 2022).
Many people experience relief within a few days to a week; however, this time frame differs from person to person. It is important to continue working with your health professionals to manage your symptoms.
What are the downsides?
– They do not address the cause of your pain.
– Pain relief may only be temporary.
– Repeated injections can weaken tendons. In addition, repeated or frequent injections can carry other risks depending on the site, including tendon rupture risk, infection, skin changes, temporary pain flare, and possible cartilage concerns with repeated joint injections (Mayo Clinic, 2023).
– Pain relief may lead to overdoing it too soon.
This is why injections should not be the only treatment. The injection may provide an opportunity to move and exercise more comfortably.
Why rehab is still important
Temporary pain relief can be useful, but longer-term improvement usually depends on addressing the factors that contributed to the problem in the first place.
At Sun Chiropractic, we use physiotherapy and chiropractic care to:
– Improve joint movement
– Strengthen weak or underloaded muscles
– Reduce strain on injured areas
– Reduce the chance of symptoms returning
When appropriate, using rehabilitation after an injection can help patients make better use of the window of reduced pain and return to activity more confidently (NICE, 2022).
In summary
Cortisone injections can help reduce pain and swelling but they are not a cure. The best results happen when they are combined with the right hands-on treatment and exercise plan. If you’re unsure whether an injection is right for you, speak to either your GP or our team at Sun Chiropractic and we’ll be happy to help guide you!
References:
https://orthoinfo.aaos.org/en/treatment/cortisone-shot-steroid-injection/
https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/cortisone-shots/about/pac-20384794